Trump DOJ Sends Letter to UVA Demanding Proof it Shut Down DEI

Trump DOJ Sends Letter to UVA Demanding Proof it Shut Down DEI

Given the number of schools simply trying to rebrand these offices, they should all have to prove it.

The College Fix reports:

DOJ sends demand letter to UVA requiring proof it shut down DEI

In early March, the University of Virginia’s governing board voted to shut down all diversity, equity and inclusion offices and end all DEI programs at its campuses statewide. The decision was met with much fanfare, including praise by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who backed the move.

University President Jim Ryan was told to report back within 30 days to update the board on the progress in complying with the directive. Problem is, he hasn’t really done that.

Enter the U.S. Department of Justice, which sent a demand letter on Monday to Ryan telling him to provide proof by May 2 that DEI has been eradicated at the University of Virginia.

“The Department has received complaints that your office and the University may have failed to implement these directives and further that you have refused to produce the report on the matter,” states the letter, signed by Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the department’s civil rights division and a UVA alumnus.

Ryan has balked publicly over the Trump administration’s attempts to rein in DEI, serving as the only public university president to join hundreds of private ones in condemning what they contend is President Trump’s overreach, the Daily Progress reported April 23.

But the DOJ is now demanding Ryan and UVA certify every division, department, unit, system, program and school, including the School of Law, School of Medicine, and Nursing School, has fully ended all DEI programs. Its letter further adds the university must provide specifics on which departments, programs, and preference systems were terminated.

“Further, for every employee, student, faculty member, or administrator who formerly occupied a position with any DEI responsibilities … identify whether that individual’s position and title have been eliminated, whether the individual is still associated with the University in any official or unofficial, paid or unpaid capacity, and, if so, the name and nature of that individual’s current title or position,” states the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The College Fix.

“The Department of Justice expects your complete candor and prompt response to this request.”

This week, the Board of Visitors, during a special meeting, approved a resolution to rescind measures put forth by a Racial Equity Task Force in 2020 supporting racial quotas.

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